It's been hard to explain what it's like being in Aestiva Romae Latinitas--which we all call Summer School. I think the pictures and anecdotes, especially of the trips, such as last Sunday's Caesar Walk, will do a much better job of capturing this completely strange mixture of craziness and seriousness in linguam latinam.
But it still might help, if you knew a little about how our days and weeks are divided.
Monday-Saturday
2:00-3:30, Juniores. This is the larger of the two groups, composed of the supposedly less experienced Latin students, even though everyone is brilliant. We read selections, usually only a sentence or two a day, slowly and carefully. We compose our own Latin sentences ex tempore, often asking our questions in Latin as well. We read aloud, we recite, some days we sing. We are treated to daily anecdotes, usually told entirely in Latin, about Reginaldus's life at "the office," which is, of course, The Vatican. Great stuff.
Class takes place in the basement of a grammar school, and we sit at children's desks in children's chairs. It completely fitting. On our first day, Reginaldus greeted us by saying, "I love this, each year seeing a line of 30-year-olds look like first-graders." His style can be a little rough, but it's thorough and so clearly informed, that it is impossible to argue with.
3:30-4:00, Break. Either run across the street to the bar for an espresso or stay in the courtyard for some sunshine. An occasional gelato. After the intensity of the first class, usually some caffeine or sugar is in order.
4:00-5:30, Juniors & Seniors. This is a combined class of the whole first group and a second group of the more experienced students. Not so different than the first, just different readings. There tend to be more anecdotes.
5:30-6:00, Break. Who has the energy to go anywhere? Lie down in the courtyard and get a little more sun, or stay inside and chat up Reginaldus for a couple mlre good stories.
6:00-7:30, Seniors. The advanced group, in theory, though I seems to be the same as the others with a little quicker pace. The smaller group means you're even more likely to be called on, which is good and band. The pressure of being on the spot with Reginaldus ready to pounce can be overwhelming, but it also forces you to concentrate that much more and think clearly about your passage. If nothing else, it's good for your humility in the short run and confidence in the long run.
7:30-8:00, Break. A quick dinner is in order.
8:00-sunset: Sub Arboribus. We gather at the end of long day of Latin for a chance to spend even more time with the language. We will be meeting Monday and Friday evenings for Latin conversation, Tuesdays and Thursdays for leisure reading and storytelling.
The pace would be more brutal if it didn't go by so quickly.
Sunday would be our day off, if we didn't have field trips. They're optional, but who would turn them down. We have trips coming up to Ostia, Tivoli, Formia, and all sorts of day trips through Rome, like our Caesar Walk. The people in the class are great, so the trips should be as fun any day off, and if Reginaldus is involved, there's sure to be some wine for everyone at the end of day to celebrate.
Vale, PB
ps. I'll be placing some of my more Latin posts on a different blog. If anyone is interested, it's in the links on the top-left of the page and can be found at erroetdisco.blogspot.com. PB
